Positive Body Language: Key to a Great First Impression

Making an impressive first impression is something that naturally anyone would want in both their social and professional life. You might have met many people who thrive on social interaction and have no problem in projecting friendliness and confidence in every conversation they are a part of. For those of us who are an introvert and are more inclined to be awkward in a social setting, to be like those people might seem impossible. However, like any other skills, you can learn how to be better at being social. It is important to know that what you say is not the only factor that builds up an impression. For example, staying quiet while attentively listening to what the others have to say can be seen as a show of respect and appreciation. The key is in how you present yourself. In other words: your body language. Below here are a few tips to project a positive body language that will make you instantly likeable.

Start with a smile

The first one is the simplest thing that you can do to make others feel instantly at ease; a smile. A smile radiates friendliness and warm that will automatically make others feel relaxed around you. No need to overdo it by laughing out loud or with a big grin, just keep it simple and unassuming, and it will be enough for most situations. To project a positive body language, it is essential to project a general sense of pleasantness. Therefore, even if you are under a lot of pressure or if there is something in particular that you do not like about the other party, you need to make sure that you still have a smile on your face and be as pleasant as possible while going through the interaction.   

Maintain eye contact

People like it when they are being showed attention and being listened to. Keeping eye contact is the key to do just that. Couple it with a few nods and appropriate affirmative noises here and there, and it is almost guaranteed that people will like you instantly. It will also make you look self-assured and trustworthy because by daring to keep eye contact, it shows that you have nothing to hide and have only good intention. Be careful to not stare excessively because that will make others feel uncomfortable instead.

Keep your back straight

Pay attention to your body posture when you walk, stand, and sit to maintain a positive body language. Slouching is something you must absolutely avoid when trying to leave a good impression. A good posture will project confidence and a sense of reliability. However, make sure that you do not appear overly rigid because it will make others think that you are nervous and uncomfortable. Just stay relaxed while keeping your back straight with your shoulders down. If you are used to slouching, make conscious effort to fix your posture every few minutes even when you are just sitting on your desk. By doing so, your body will naturally assume that posture in any situation, making you look professional.

Greetings manner

There are many ways all around the world in how people greet each other. It is important to adjust yourself accordingly depending on the person you are interacting with. A handshake needs to be firm with a strong grip to relay confidence. People generally would instantly dislike someone who introduces themselves with a weak handshake. Some cultures use a bow to greet others. To do it properly, you have to bend your waist with your back straight while averting your gaze. Commonly, your hand should be placed on the side of your body, except for women who can also put their hands together on their thigh. The deep of your bow signify the level of respect you have for the other party so you have to tread carefully. Understanding the different ways of greeting will enable you to make a positive body language.

Many people do not pay enough attention to their body language even though a positive body language will greatly influence how others perceive them. It is not a hard practice to learn and with enough repetition it will not be long until it becomes second nature to you. Prepare for real life situation by practicing in front of a mirror so you know exactly how you look like when you are interacting with others.